Casa Gorordo Museum holds annual Sinug

CEBU, Philippines - The bad weather condition did not stop the annual dance prayer tradition or Sinug held yesterday, a day after the feast of the Señor Santo Niño, at the Casa Gorordo Museum as part of its house traditions that also pays homage to the Holy Child.

Sinug is a traditional dance prayer that has been considered the predecessor of the more popular Sinulog.

The dance prayer has its own fixed format and unique beat not seen in modern Sinulog dances.

The dance narrates the coming of Christianity here in the Philippines and how it started, featuring the conflicts between the Spaniards and the natives as well as the acceptance and renewal of faith of the locals at the intercession of Sto. Niño.

Carolina Diola, 66, the oldest dancer of the Barangay Mabolo Turang Dance Troupe, and the niece of the late Estelita Diola, known as "Inday Titang," who was said to be the "keeper" of the dance and the beat of Sinug, led the dancing of the dance troupe yesterday.

For Carolina, it is difficult to lead the young members of the group but that it is more difficult to stop Sinug for it has been a tradition for their family to offer a dance prayer to the Holy Child. She said the continuing legacy of the dance was entrusted to her by Inday Titang who had passed away some years ago.

"Dili baya gyud ko ganahan modawat kay dili ko kabaw motambol apan kay mao man ang iyang gibilin nga tradisyon mas maayo pud kung ato ning mapadayon," said Carolina.

She said that she is thankful to the parents of the children who are part of the dance troupe for the support and for understanding the importance of the event, and also for the eagerness of the children to learn even though the steps are complicated compared to the Sinulog dance steps.

Carolina also explained that Sinug is a dance of prayer and faith which she also tries to impart to the young members of the dance troupe.

"Kay kani man gud ang among pagsayaw dala pag-ampo ug pagtuo," she said.

She said that the dancing of Sinug serves as her offering to Señor Sto. Niño and a form of thanksgiving for protecting her family during the fire incident they went through last December, adding that dancing Sinug for the Holy Child also makes her happy.

Florencio Moreño II, Curator of Casa Gorordo Museum, said that is has been a custom of the Gorordo family and other families living in Parian to invite Sinug dancers to offer a prayer dance for the souls of their departed loves ones.

He also added that Ramon Abiotiz Foundation  through its Culture and Heritage Unit believes that the dance ritual should be kept and preserved, for it shows the Cebuano history.

Moreno also added that the annual prayer dance held in the museum needs to be seen by future generations to ensure that the Sinug tradition lives on. — Rexy Quennie A. Engle (FREEMAN)